March 17, 2024
A two-day training for investigative journalists in Abuja, Nigeria, has emphasised the importance of data, research, and evidence-based reporting.
The training, titled ‘Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge’ (SPARK 2), was organized by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) in partnership with the International Budget Partnership (IBP).
The executive director of ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan urged participants to prioritize data and research for credible and impactful journalism highlighting the role of investigative journalism in exposing corruption and underreported issues.
He urged journalists not to only be concerned with writing reports and investigations but also to stress the importance of tracking the impact made by the reports or the investigation.
The SPARK 2 fellowship is focused on health and agriculture interventions by the government and had 20 senior journalists from five states, including two of The Nation’s Reporters who participated in the training.
The training covered sessions around solution journalism, writing for impact, using mobile phones for documentaries, photo and video shooting, and gender-based reporting.
The Programme Coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers’ Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Ogechi Okebugwu called on journalists to look into reporting the challenges faced by women farmers, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce.
She pointed out that women farmers are being neglected across the country despite several of government interventions in agriculture.
The SPARK 1 fellowship, according to the ICIR, a predecessor to SPARK 2, reportedly led to President Buhari ordering a probe into the spending of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The training further emphasised the need for journalists to go beyond reporting and track the impact of their work as participants were urged to use their skills to expose issues hindering Nigeria’s development and advocate for positive change.